Crime branch to probe murder of elderly lawyer

BHUBANESWAR - Orissa has ordered the crime branch of its police to probe the murder of an elderly lawyer early this week in Mayurbhanj district, officials said Friday.

Kalicharan Pradhan, 74, was killed in an attack Feb 8 by some miscreants at his village Kumbharmunda, about 400 km from here. Pradhans wife also suffered injuries.

The state government has ordered the crime branch to probe the incident, a senior home department official told IANS.

Lawyers across the state had boycotted the courts Thursday and staged protests demanding immediate arrest of Pradhans attackers and sought protection for his family.

Six people have been arrested in the murder case, local police said.